[Art_beyond_sight_learning_tools] Article: Seeing things - Visually-impaired artists exhibitpaintings

[Shelley L. Rhodes]

Naples Sun Times, Florida
Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Seeing things - Visually-impaired artists exhibit paintings

By Reina Newton Tefs

CAPTION: Visually Impaired Persons of Southwest Florida Executive Director 
Marylou Tuckwiller, left, Charlotte Lawhon, Janet Ray, art teacher Ann 
Sickels and Luella Bermingham pose in front of the VSA arts in 
Florida-sponsored exhibit in the West Wing Gallery.

"I like to paint with bright colors because they are easier to see," Janet 
Ray explained at a reception on June 10.

Ray started painting five years ago when she noticed a painting displayed at 
the Visually Impaired Persons of Southwest Florida (VIP) center. To see the 
painting she had to put on her coke-bottle glasses and step close to the 
wall. The artwork inspired her to give painting a whirl because she knew 
that the artist who created it was legally blind, like she was.

Two of her paintings were accepted into this exhibit. In Moonlight Jasmine, 
a full moon highlights jasmine petals and illuminates the waterfall as it 
cascades over a dark cliff. Ray painted Floral Fantasy with bright colors 
and loose brush strokes in an impressionistic style.

Because she can't see things from far away, she stands close to the canvas 
and paints from memory. Landscapes, waterfalls and especially flowers are 
her favorite subjects. "I have to be organized and keep my paints separate," 
she explained.

VSA arts in Florida sponsored the exhibit displayed in the Naples Branch 
Library West Wing Gallery, and the Friends of the Library (FOL) sponsored 
the reception.

VSA Arts is an international non-profit organization that was founded in 
1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. The organization offers resources and 
programs on disability, arts and culture through art exhibitions, festivals, 
publications, educational workshops and public awareness campaigns. VSA Arts 
of Florida (VSAFL) was founded in 1981. The home office is housed on the 
University of Southern Florida campus in Tampa.

"VSA's primary role is to promote creativity and empowerment of artists with 
disabilities," said Chandra Daniels, a VSA grant specialist.

Daniels drove from Tampa to support artists whose paintings were accepted, 
and three out of the 12 artists attended. Rain from Tropical Storm Arlene 
played a role in the low attendance but so did distance. All artists live in 
Lehigh County and had to arrange for a ride. So far, Collier County disabled 
artists have not participated in VSAFL. United Arts Council (UAC) of Collier 
County Program Manager Andy Browne attended the reception and expressed her 
desire to establish a local connection to VSAFL.

"We want to build awareness of the need in Collier County to support 
visually-impaired artists and bring attention to the public," Browne said. 
"We're pleased with the particularly vibrant painting exhibition."

Browne pointed out that UAC is the arts council for all of Collier County. 
The organization would like to broaden their reach to include disabled 
artists. Interested disabled artists can contact Browne.

Luella Bermingham started painting at age 82. She painted a landscape of 
Miso Carriage Ridge and a detailed scene of a plaza's fountain with water 
splashing over its sides in The Fountain.

Her friend Charlotte Lawhon was looking for something to do when she started 
painting three years ago. She used a knife with acrylic paints to create 
Surf's In. Some artists prefer this method because it gives them a 
three-dimensional tactile feel for their creations. For Sunrise at the 
Beach, Lawhon painted the scene with a brush for a smoother surface. These 
artists depended on recollection and also imagination to create their 
scenes.

Art teacher Ann Sickels instructs art at VIP and art centers for sighted 
students. Sickels' students including Bermingham, Lawhon and Ray have 
exhibited in juried shows including Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Kentucky and art 
museums in Chicago and Philadelphia. Her students meet once per week. 
Although about 95 percent of them have never painted before, Sickels 
approaches lessons from a serious standpoint, the same way she does with 
sighted students.

The quality of her VIP students' art has impressed her. "We usually get into 
juried shows," Sickels said. "I think they all do a wonderful job because 
they are overcoming a challenge in their lives. I am amazed at their 
attitude that they will do whatever they can. It's a triumph of their 
creativity."

FOL members, UAC Executive Director Elaine Hamilton, Collier County Library 
Public Relations Specialist Linda Fasulo and VIP Executive Director Marylou 
Tuckwiller also attended the reception that included a light buffet lunch. 
Guests agreed with Fasulo who was astonished at the accomplishments of these 
artists.

Twenty paintings are on display through June 30 during regular library 
hours. Contact Browne at 263-8343 for UAC information. Contact Tuckwiller at 
997-7797 for questions about VIP. Visit www.vsafl.org for information about 
VSAFL.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14774836&BRD=2605&PAG=461&dept_id=523946&rfi=6


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